Catching Options Dwindling as Potential Cubs Target Kyle Higashioka Joins Rangers

Just a few days ago, we looked at a Cubs offseason that saw the additions of two non-tendered closers, an aging starter with gas still left in the tank, and backup catcher Kyle Higashioka. The former Yankee and Padre has averaged around 86 games per season over the last few years and has hit at least 10 homers in each of the last four seasons, making him a very strong backup. Even though his career .212 batting average leaves a bit to be desired, the added pop makes up for a lot of that.

Marquee’s Lance Brozdowski predicted a two-year deal worth $16 million, which is significantly more than the $13.5 million Higashioka ended up getting from the Rangers. The deal also includes a $7 million option for 2027, but that’s just window dressing. Perhaps more important than the total value is what this signing means for a dwindling catching market in which the Cubs had been expected to shop.

Travis d’Arnaud was likewise linked to them before he signed with the Angels, who have been among the most aggressive teams so far this offseason. Austin Hedges stayed with the Guardians for $4 million and Jacob Stallings re-signed with the Rockies for half as much, though neither seemed to have been on the Cubs’ radar. The same is true for Gary Sánchez, James McCann, and Elias Diaz, leaving only two realistic options for a team looking to make a meaningful addition at backstop.

Those options are Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen, both of whom figure to land deals similar to the one their counterpart got from the Rangers. Predictions vary, with Kiley McDaniel putting Jansen at just $12 million while MLB Trade Rumors has him at $20 million. McDaniel thinks more highly of Kelly, projecting him at $17.5 million, but MLBTR doesn’t have him in their top 50. Let’s just figure it’ll be a deal in the $7-9 million AAV range.

If given a choice between the two, I’m going with Jansen because he’s a year younger and had three consecutive seasons with a wRC+ of at least 105 prior to his 89 last season. Kelly has twice exceeded league average offensive production — 2019 and ’21 with Arizona — and was close with a 99 this past offseason, but his abject lack of power means he’ll have to excel in other areas to provide the Cubs with even the mildest incremental improvement at the position.

Kelly’s .120 ISO since 2022 is tied for 233rd out of 283 players (min. 800 PAs) and it’s 58 points behind the league average in that span. Jansen’s .212 ISO is tied with J.D. Martinez and Manny Machado for 38th in that same sample, and that’s with his cumulative mark being suppressed by a .142 this past season which is still higher than any of his counterpart’s results of late. Power isn’t the only important aspect here, but it’s a pretty big deal for a team that needs more pop.

As Jed Hoyer continues to seek value around the margins and he’s eyeing two catchers with similar market value, I’d advise him to go for the one who’s almost a year younger and provides more tangible impact. And we can’t forget that the Cubs were linked heavily to Jansen this past season, so we know they’ve done their homework on him. I know a lot of you would prefer the Cubs eschew a catcher altogether and just give the job to Moises Ballesteros, but I’d caution against that simply because the young man still has a lot of work to do in order to be a passable catcher on a regular basis.

While I don’t doubt his desire to get better behind the plate, my concern having seen him in action is that he lacks the quickness to block some of the nastier stuff he’s going to see at the big league level. I don’t think I’m on an island here either, though I understand that many feel his defensive shortcomings are palatable given his offensive potential. Of course, that’s really only true if he’s playing on close to an everyday basis. You can’t call a 21-year-old catcher up to the bigs and then put him in a timeshare.

There aren’t enough at-bats to go around between first base and catcher as the roster is currently constructed, though that could change if Cody Bellinger is dealt. But that probably means Owen Caissie would get some run, thus ruling out DH as an option (either from Caissie or Seiya Suzuki). As high as I am on Ballesteros, I think this is one of the spots where going with a veteran at catcher and letting the young prospect force his way to Chicago is the best option for both the immediate and long-term futures of team and player alike.

Now watch the Cubs sign Sánchez or opt for Ballesteros after all.